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Cancer remains a major public health challenge in Africa, responsible for an estimated 533,000 deaths annually, with breast and cervical cancers accounting for the majority of cases among women.

To reduce cancer mortality through improved prevention, diagnosis, and care across Sub-Saharan Africa, the Network for Oncology Research in Sub-Saharan Africa (NORA) Consortium has hosted a five-day summer school in Abuja.

The event was hosted by the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE) at Institute of Human Virology Nigeria in collaboration with the African Cancer Registry Network (AFCRN) and the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT). It attracted participants from NORA partner institutions in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Nigeria, and South Africa.

IRCE, which is one of the NORA partner institutions, welcomed researchers, clinicians and policy makers to the event, themed “Building Capacity for Cancer Research and Control in Africa,”

Through plenary sessions, workshops, and hands-on training, participants explored innovative solutions to the challenges of early detection, limited treatment access, and inadequate data for cancer control in low-resource settings.

Speaking at the Summer School’s Opening Session, NORA Nigeria Principal Investigator, Dr. Elima Jedy-Agba explained that the program comprises five African countries working collaboratively to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality through research and innovation.

She noted that the event convened 155 delegates from 25 countries, including experts from Germany, the United Kingdom, Scotland, and the United States.

“Our aim is to produce evidence that shapes public health policy and enhances cancer outcomes for women across Sub-Saharan Africa. Since NORA Consortium began in 2023, it has supported the establishment and strengthening of cancer registries across partner countries, enhancing data quality and comparability. It has also trained over 100 early-career researchers, clinicians, and data officers in cancer epidemiology, implementation science, and data management. NORA continues to generate multi-country data on breast and cervical cancer incidence, stage at diagnosis, and treatment outcomes, informing national policy dialogues,” Dr. Jedy-Agba stated.

IRCE Executive Director, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku said that cancer registries are key in addressing cancer in the country.

“We have done a good job in moving data forward but what we have not done is have quality data across the continent that really shows what the problem is and what our intervention is doing to tackle the problem, now through the cancer registries, we have been able to improve that situation across the country,” Prof. Abimiku said.

Also at the program, the Honorable Minister of State for Health, Dr. Adekunle Salako, said the event demonstrates a collective commitment to strengthening cancer control systems in Nigeria and across Africa.

Dr. Salako was represented by his Special Adviser on Research and Innovation, Dr. Ololade Dosunmu-Adeyemi. He said that through partnerships such as NORA and AFRCRN, Nigeria is moving closer to a future where every citizen, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, can benefit from timely detection, diagnosis, and care informed by real data.

More than 2,100 health care workers across Nigeria have utilized a virtual training platform (VTR) set up by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) and Instrat, to expand their knowledge on HIV and tuberculosis.

According to IHVN Program Manager, Dr. Adekola Adekunle, the platform was repurposed and launched in August 2024 with funding support from the Global Fund TB-HIV Reach Integration and Impact Project (N-THRIP) in collaboration with the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP).

Dr. Adekunle said that the e-learning platform is active  with enrolled participants 363 local government areas and was put in place to equip doctors, nurses and community health workers from private hospitals.

“Challenges such as high staff turnover, and constant need for capacity building necessitated this innovation.” Health workers are being equipped with essential skills to effectively manage and report tuberculosis cases.

The platform has proven to be cost effective, efficient and easily accessible by health care providers in hard-to-reach areas. Health workers train without disruption of their duties and it has boosted their understanding of the role of the private sector in the identification, screening, diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis,” he said.

Dr. Adekunle explained that the mobile learning platform can be accessed on smart phones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers.

“We utilized text, audio and video-based trainings to build the capacity of trainees on the epidemiology, identification and diagnosis of tuberculosis, tuberculosis in children, administering treatment and management of tuberculosis contacts. There are also modules on monitoring tuberculosis treatment, management of treatment interruptions and drug-resistance tuberculosis,” he said.

Prior to the set-up of the platform, a needs assessment on relevant TB and HIV training topics was conducted. Regular feedback on program content and delivery has also been received to improve program structure.

Training sessions are currently available online alongside simulated classroom interaction and certificates upon successful completion.

Augusta Kalu, VTR Senior Manager InStrat added that measures such as engagement of linkage coordinators to follow-up with healthcare workers in private hospitals, personalized interaction with inactive participants and working with state sub-recipients and the government have been adopted to encourage completion of the courses.

She noted that initial challenges such as severe network challenges, difficulty in navigating the app, log in issues are being addressed.

“So far, more than 95% of the participants have indicated satisfaction with the quality, relevance, effectiveness and course structure of the training program,” Augusta said.

Participants say that the training has been beneficial. Olushola Deborah, a nurse from Ondo State is currently going through the modules. She says that the sessions “have broadened her knowledge about tuberculosis and the best way to care for patients.”

Ogbono Linda, a participant who has completed the training modules said that the modules have improved her knowledge in HIV and TB and management of co-infections. “I learned about the TB treatment regimen and patient management. This has equipped me to provide targeted intervention to patients and has boosted my confidence.”

As the Principal Recipient of the Global Fund Grant Cycle 7 project, IHVN is working with guidance from  NTBLCP to Increase the testing and identification of all forms of TB in the private sector and the communities across the thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory. Capacity building of health care workers remains critical to ending tuberculosis in Nigeria.

The International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has hosted its 3rd Annual Scientific Symposium, convening leading health experts, policymakers, and development partners from across Nigeria and abroad to discuss strategies for strengthening the country’s epidemic preparedness.

The 2025 symposium, themed “Combating Viral Threats through Public Health Response and Research,” served as a high-level platform to assess Nigeria’s readiness to tackle recurring viral outbreaks and other public health emergencies.

A report presented during the meeting, based on the INFORM Index for Risk Management, ranked Nigeria 12th globally for epidemic risk classifying the country as high-risk due to weak health systems, inadequate surveillance, and delayed response mechanisms.

Executive Director of IRCE, Professor Alash’le Abimiku, stressed that research must be the cornerstone of Nigeria’s public health preparedness. She highlighted that while most major outbreaks in the country including COVID-19, Lassa fever, Marburg, and Dengue — are viral in nature, Nigeria has often failed to translate existing scientific knowledge into effective and sustained preventive action.

Citing findings from IRCE researchers, Professor Abimiku explained that early access to COVID-19 testing laboratories played a major role in shaping reported case numbers during the pandemic. States with nearby laboratories were able to conduct more tests, leading to disparities in prevalence data across regions.

“We must ask ourselves, have we sustained that capacity? Are we ready for the next outbreak?” she challenged.

Chief Executive Officer of IHVN, Dr. Patrick Dakum, emphasized the urgent need for stronger domestic financing for health research and epidemic preparedness.

“This symposium aims to sharpen Nigeria’s preparedness by identifying the most pressing viral threats and determining how limited resources should be allocated,” he said. “Local research is essential for tracking disease hotspots and adapting diagnostic tools to our unique realities.”

Also speaking at the event, Professor Michael Simidele Odimayo, Special Adviser on Health to the Ondo State Government, commended the progress recorded in Lassa fever surveillance and response in the state. He noted that strengthened surveillance systems, improved diagnostic capacity, and timely reporting have enhanced Ondo State’s ability to detect and manage cases more effectively.

“While we have made remarkable strides in Lassa fever surveillance and response, we must not relent,” Professor Odimayo stated. “Logistical gaps, misinformation, and delayed reporting at the community level still pose serious challenges. Addressing these requires sustained commitment, collaboration, and community trust.”

He added that current efforts in the state are focused on strengthening community education, improving health worker protection, and maintaining epidemic preparedness.

“Our goal is clear  to build a resilient public health system that not only responds to outbreaks but prevents them,” he said. “By empowering communities with accurate information and ensuring health workers are well-equipped and protected, we can drastically reduce future outbreaks and fatalities.”

About 200 participants were at the symposium which featured sessions on viruses of pandemic and public health importance, surveillance, m-pox, hepatitis, dengue fever, data science and genomic tools. There were also presentations from early career investigators, panel discussions on vaccines and abstract poster presentations.

Since 2023, the annual symposium has served as a forum for researchers to explore critical themes such as “Expanding Partnerships to Sickle Cell Disease and Cancer Research” and “Addressing Local Health Challenges through Quality Research and Partnerships.” IRCE continues to play a pivotal role in advancing innovative research aimed at improving healthcare outcomes and strengthening research capacity among early-career Nigerian investigators.